Research database

Programme: Low Carbon Fuels

Last update: 02 January 2014

Work commissioned within the Low Carbon Fuels (LCF) research programme provides support for developing Government policy on low-carbon transport fuels. LCF research in 2013-2015 will focus on the impacts of our current policy; developing options for meeting the 2020 targets set out in the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and Fuel Quality Directive (FQD); the sustainability of biofuel feedstocks, including indirect impacts; and the development of advanced fuel technologies.

Note for reader:

Some of the sub-programmes and projects in LCF are being reassigned and updated to reflect the current organisational structure. This is underway and will be completed in due course. The Department organogram can be found at this website address: www.dft.gov.uk/about/dftorganisationchart).

Sub-programmes

This stream deals with strategies to provide vehicle buyers and users with better, more accessible and more forceful information on vehicle use and environmental impacts. Also, strategies for persuading buyers and users to make more environmentally beneficial choices; and measures to overcome 'market failure' issues needlessly preventing buyers and users making environmentally beneficial decisions in the market place.

This stream deals with the economic aspects and implications of policies and options, including policies on transport taxes, air quality, noise and measures relating to CO2. This may cover studies of factors influencing decisions on vehicle purchase and use; and the development of methodologies for measuring the outcomes of policy changes and initiatives.

This stream of work deals with the Department's Vehicle Market Model, which forecasts the future fuel efficiency of the national vehicle fleet, taking into account changes in the composition of the fleet over time. The model provides the basis for forecasting CO2 emissions and future costs of motoring. The models need regular updating and development to take account of the latest data and policy developments.

The Foresight Vehicle Programme is a major initiative of Government which was established to bring together UK resources and expertise to create components and systems for the vehicles of the future. The main aim of this programme is to develop, demonstrate and promote technology for vehicles that will be available to the mass market by 2020. This new technology will work towards targets that include reducing congestion,
increasing safety, and improving air quality.
The projects support the objectives in the 10 yr plan for transport.

This stream of work deals with environmental and social sustainability around biofuels. Emissions, and more specifically indirect land use change (ILUC), have been a key issue for both the Government and the European Commission. Determining the life cycle emissions of fossil fuels will require specific attention to recognise and remedy evidence gaps and requirements.

This stream deals with the rigorous assessment of advanced fuels including their potential to contribute to 2020 targets and longer term carbon reduction objectives as well as any possible associated negative impacts.
This includes the analysis of scenarios for the cost effective deployment of biofuels in 2020 and the quantity of different types of biofuel potentially available to the UK transport sector in 2020, 2030 and 2050.

This stream of work deals with the ongoing assessment of the current policy framework to help inform policy development. Research in this area will look to identify the impacts of the RTFO, including on the environment, business and transport.

This stream deals with research evidence on the implications for vehicles and tranport infrastructure from the deploymnet of low carbon fuels. Findings could inform policy decisions to create the right set of incentives for the market to continue its growth and investment in those technologies that can help achieve GHG savings more efficiently.

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